Bhubaneswar: Ayurvedic system of medicine is an integral part of the age-old Shree Jagannath culture. This system of medicine is closely associated with Odia culture and tradition. Like Kerala, Odisha has ample opportunities for Ayurvedic treatment. Because there is continuous forest growth in Odisha, for this, the State Government is taking various steps through the State Council of Medicinal Plants.
At the same time, there is a need for cooperation of the people and awareness among them as there is no side-effect to Ayurvedic treatment, said Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Pradeep Kumar Amat while inaugurating the 16th Kalinga Herbal Fair-2023.
Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Revenue & Disaster Management and Devidatta Biswal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of The Forest Force graced the occasion.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the fair held at the IDCO Exhibition Ground here today, Minister Shri Amat said that the fair is an excellent tool to create awareness among the masses to make Ayurvedic medicine popular.
Shri Sahu ACS FE&CC said that Odisha is a storehouse of natural resources. Medicinal plants are widely used in the Shree Jagannath culture. Post Covid-19 pandemic, the popularity of Indian Ayurvedic medicine is increasing steadily. Therefore, the demand for medicinal plants is also increasing.
Farmers, self-help groups, van suraksha samitis and other social organisations can benefit from the emphasis on increasing production along with cultivation of medicinal plants. For this, the State Government has provided all kinds of facilities and arrangements for concessions, Shri Sahu said.
Debidatta Biswal, PCCF & HoFF said that ayurvedic, allopathic and homoeopathic systems of medicine are different but not indistinguishable from each other. Every treatment method has its independence. Like Kerala, Odisha has huge potential for Ayurvedic treatment.
The Kalinga Herbal Fair is providing a beautiful platform to vaidyas, doctors, farmers, government and non-governmental organisations, pharmaceutical companies. He expressed hope that the public would be particularly benefited by this fair.
Sudip Nayak, Chief Executive Officer, State Council of Medicinal Plants, in his welcome address highlighted the approach and achievements of organizing the fair. Two special booklets were released by the guests on the occasion.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Kiranbala Samantray proposed the vote of thanks. Sucheta Priyadarshini, Assistant Director (Field), Information and Public Relations coordinated the program.
In this fair, discussions related to various diseases, free health check-ups, Vaidya workshops and various types of medical methods like Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Yoga and Naturopathy treatment and homeopathy treatment have been arranged. The fair will be open to the general public from 11 am to 9 pm every day till December 11.
